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Wines like Chianti Classico

Sangiovese from the historic hills between Florence and Siena: sour cherry, dried herbs and firm acidity, built for the table. Below: what to try next, grouped by the direction you want to travel.

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What do you like about Chianti Classico?

Optional — the results below already work without it. But “I like Malbec” is at least four different preferences wearing one name, and saying which one you mean changes the answer substantially. Only qualities this wine actually has are offered.

I like…

The bright red fruit How fresh and crisp it is The firm, grippy structure The herbal, green side The savoury, meaty side

But it’s a bit…

too tart or sour-fruited too sharp or acidic too drying or too tannic too green or grassy too earthy or musty too savoury or funky

Clear all

What these words mean

The bright red fruit: Raspberry, redcurrant, sour cherry — lighter and sharper than dark fruit, usually from a cooler place or an earlier picking.
How fresh and crisp it is: Acidity is what makes your mouth water and makes a wine feel refreshing rather than heavy. It is the single most useful thing to know about your own taste.
The firm, grippy structure: High tannin — the drying grip on your gums, like over-brewed tea. It gives a red something to hold on to with rich food, and it is what lets a wine age.
The herbal, green side: Grass, blackcurrant leaf, green pepper, mint. It divides people more sharply than almost any other character.
The savoury, meaty side: Leather, olive, cured meat, dried herbs, tobacco. It is what people mean by calling a wine "serious" rather than "fruity", and it comes with age as well as with place.
The earthy, mineral side: Forest floor, wet stone, mushroom, damp earth. Widely described and much less well explained than wine writing implies — the sensation is real, the causal story usually is not.

Looking for something keeping the savoury, non-fruity character, while moving away from too green or grassy, too drying or too tannic and too earthy or musty.

Based on what you said

Ranked against the qualities you named rather than against the wine as a whole. The directions below are refined the same way.

Chianti

Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
About as earthy or musty as the wine you started from.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

curated

A far cheaper Italian red for the same food.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Merlot

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Rosso di Montalcino

Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Keeps the savoury, non-fruity character.
Substantially less green or grassy.
About as drying or too tannic as the wine you started from.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Egri Bikavér

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Grenache

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Nero d’Avola

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Has some of the savoury, non-fruity character, though less of it.
Substantially less green or grassy.
Substantially less drying or too tannic.
Substantially less earthy or musty.

Closest overall

Nearest neighbours, no change of direction.

Closest matches

The nearest overall neighbours across structure and flavour, with no deliberate change of direction.

Chianti

Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

curated

A far cheaper Italian red for the same food.

Expect: Much softer and plummier, with far less structure.

Merlot

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Rosso di Montalcino

Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Different grape, similar feel

Deliberately excludes the variety you already know, to find a genuinely new wine that fills the same role.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

curated

A far cheaper Italian red for the same food.

Expect: Much softer and plummier, with far less structure.

Grenache

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Nero d’Avola

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.

Change the structure

Same idea, different weight, grip or freshness.

Similar but lighter

Keeps the character but reduces weight, alcohol and density in the mouth.

Chianti

Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and stronger and warmer.

Valpolicella

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.

Trousseau

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Canaiolo

Both are made from canaiolo, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Similar but lower in alcohol

Holds the character and the weight where it can, and moves specifically on strength. Note that below about 11% the choices narrow sharply, and below 5% they are mostly a different category rather than a lighter version of the same one.

Valpolicella

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.

English still Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.

Cru Beaujolais

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more fruit-driven.

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Similar but fuller

Keeps the character but adds weight, concentration and mouthfeel.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Uruguayan Tannat

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.

Argentine Malbec

Argentine Malbec scores closest to Chianti Classico across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.

Bolgheri

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Similar but less tannic

For readers who find firm reds drying. Reduces tannic grip while holding flavour and weight roughly steady.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

curated

A far cheaper Italian red for the same food.

Expect: Much softer and plummier, with far less structure.

Merlot

Both are made from merlot, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Nero d’Avola

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Valpolicella Ripasso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more structured

More tannic architecture, for food or for ageing.

Naoussa Xinomavro

curated

A high-acid, tomato-and-olive-scented red in very similar territory.

Expect: More austere and more tannic when young.

Madiran

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.

Baga

Baga scores closest to Chianti Classico across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.

Bairrada Baga

Bairrada Baga scores closest to Chianti Classico across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.

Similar but softer

Lowers acidity and sharpness in favour of a broader, gentler feel.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

curated

A far cheaper Italian red for the same food.

Expect: Much softer and plummier, with far less structure.

Merlot

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Grenache

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Chilean Carmenère

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more herbal and green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

The sparkling version

Moves to a sparkling expression while holding the flavour and weight as close as possible.

Sparkling Shiraz

Sparkling Shiraz scores closest to Chianti Classico across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Lambrusco

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Lambrusco Grasparossa

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

English sparkling wine

English sparkling wine scores closest to Chianti Classico across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be less tannic and softer, and riper and less green.

Similar but sweeter

Adds perceptible sweetness, which also softens acidity and chilli heat.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.

Tawny Port

Tawny Port scores closest to Chianti Classico across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.

Valpolicella Ripasso

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Corvina

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Change the flavour

Same shape, different aromatic character.

Similar but less oaky

One of the commonest requests in wine. Strips oak influence while holding grape character and weight.

Chianti

Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more oaky.

Tinta Negra

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.

Castelão

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Prokupac

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more oaky

Adds barrel character, toast and a creamier texture.

Rioja

curated

Both are savoury, medium-bodied, cherry-fruited reds shaped by oak ageing classifications.

Expect: Softer acidity and rounder tannin, with vanilla and leather in place of tomato leaf.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Bolgheri

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and fruitier.

Similar but more aromatic

More to smell before you taste — floral, fruity or spiced aromatics.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Gamay

Gamay scores closest to Chianti Classico across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more herbal and green.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more fruit-driven.

Similar but more restrained

For readers who find intensely aromatic wines tiring over a whole glass. Keeps the structure, turns the volume down.

Nothing in WineHQ's catalogue makes this move meaningfully from here. These are the closest wines otherwise, but do not expect them to deliver what you asked for — the honest answer is that this style does not have a good neighbour in that direction.

Chianti

Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more aromatic.

Merlot

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Rosso di Montalcino

Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Egri Bikavér

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more floral

Pushes specifically towards rose, violet, blossom and elderflower character.

Pinot Noir

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and earthier.

Gamay

Gamay scores closest to Chianti Classico across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and riper and less green.

Cabernet Franc

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and more herbal and green.

Australian Grenache

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Similar but more savoury

Moves away from primary fruit towards earth, herb, meat and umami character.

Rioja Gran Reserva

Both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.

Chianti Classico Riserva

Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

Both are made from sangiovese, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more savoury, and earthier.

Naoussa Xinomavro

curated

A high-acid, tomato-and-olive-scented red in very similar territory.

Expect: More austere and more tannic when young.

Similar but fruitier

More obvious, generous fruit flavour, usually from a warmer climate.

Merlot

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and fruitier.

Egri Bikavér

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and fruitier.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

curated

A far cheaper Italian red for the same food.

Expect: Much softer and plummier, with far less structure.

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.

Change the place

Keep the grape, move it somewhere else.

Same grape, somewhere else

Holds the variety constant and changes the place, which is often a bigger change than swapping the grape.

Merlot

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Egri Bikavér

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Red Bordeaux

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and more fruit-driven.

Same grape, cooler climate

Typically fresher, lighter and more herbal, with lower alcohol.

Chianti

Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and less oaky.

Rosso di Montalcino

Both are made from sangiovese, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Egri Bikavér

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Sangiovese

Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and earthier.

Same grape, warmer climate

Typically riper, fuller and more generous in fruit, with higher alcohol.

Super Tuscan

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Bolgheri

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon, and both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and more tannic and structured.

Washington Cabernet Sauvignon

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be fruitier, and riper and less green.

Change the mood

Safer, stranger, cheaper or more serious.

A safe next step

Well-known wines that are widely available and unlikely to surprise anyone.

Chianti

Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and lighter.

Merlot

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be more fruit-driven, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

curated

A far cheaper Italian red for the same food.

Expect: Much softer and plummier, with far less structure.

Grenache

The structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin.

Expect: Expect it to be cleaner and more fruit-focused, and more fruit-driven.

Something more adventurous

Less familiar wines that occupy similar territory — the interesting end of the shelf.

Rosso di Montalcino

Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Egri Bikavér

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Nero d’Avola

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.

A better-value alternative

Wines that occupy similar sensory territory from regions carrying less price premium. WineHQ does not hold live prices, so this reasons from regional reputation and demand rather than from a price feed — treat it as a lead, not a quote.

Rosso di Montalcino

Both are made from sangiovese, and the structural profile is close across body, acidity and tannin, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Egri Bikavér

Both are made from merlot, and they occupy similar territory for weight and structure, both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Nero d’Avola

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and cleaner and more fruit-focused.

Barbera d’Asti

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure, and both sit in the same style family.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and less tannic and softer.

A step up

The benchmark expressions of the same territory, usually with more concentration, structure and ageing potential.

Amarone della Valpolicella

Both come from the same country.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.

Ribera del Duero

They occupy similar territory for weight and structure.

Expect: Expect it to be riper and less green, and more tannic and structured.

Priorat

Both are made from cabernet sauvignon.

Expect: Expect it to be more tannic and structured, and riper and less green.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Châteauneuf-du-Pape scores closest to Chianti Classico across WineHQ’s taste dimensions.

Expect: Expect it to be earthier, and more tannic and structured.

How these are chosen

Each suggestion is scored across sixteen taste dimensions, weighted so that structure matters more than flavour, and adjusted for whether the wine actually moves in the direction you asked for. Curated links from an editor carry extra weight — but only when the editor tagged them for this direction. Nothing here is a black box; see the taste model for the full method.